Say Cheese Please

I wanted to share a new personal favorite display sign. We recently got these new crunchy snacks a lot like flaming hot corn snacks of another brand. I love the look of the packaging and really wanted to try making a display that had a true 3-D look.

We did not have a lot of time to make a wild and crazy display with papier-mâché or other materials, but I was able to pull off a 3-D style that really popped using paper, foam core, and sharpie and paint markers.

My biggest illustrative skill is using bold lines for a classic illustration look that blends well with the TJ’s style. I’m very pleased with how this display turned out. As a bonus, customers really seem to enjoy the look which really is the most important part. I have heard people say that the sign was the big reason that they decided to try these chips out!

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Rise and Shine It’s Daylight Savings Time

With the extra hour today, I made this cute little illustration. Lovely little typography  sketch.

The Fearless Flyer

This illustration was made this week to be used in some printed signage and decorations for our Fearless Flyer. I sketched this fine flying fellow using pencil and my trusty Papermate Flair. (My favorite affordable felt-tip pen for inking detailed black and white drawings.)

I love his iconic Steampunk vibe.

He will  be colored and printed in black and white.

Typography Illustration: Do Your Best

Hand-Lettering is a BIIIG part of my life. It seems like every day I have a new lettering project that I am working on. Some projects are client-driven, while others are ones that I take on myself. This illustration was an exercise in not only doing the work, but documenting it and photographing the steps.

I chose the phrase “do your best” for this illustration because I want to encourage others to strive to do the best they can do with their art.

I wanted to show my followers on Instagram the steps I take in completing the inking of a typographic piece. I always start with a pencil sketch. I generally use mechanical pencils for their precise line and easy erasing.

Once the lines are finalized, I go over them with ink. I use a variety of pen sizes and types.

Start to finish: counter-clockwise from top left.

I wait a short while for the ink to dry and then use a soft, white eraser to erase the pencil lines. This is sometimes the hardest part! Be careful to let the ink dry, though, as it can smear and ruin your drawing!

I added stippling after adding the bold ink outline.

After the ink has dried, you can add other embellishments like hatching, cross hatching, or stippling to add contrast. I think I will color this piece, but I will leave that for another time!

 

Feeling Crabby

I’m not sure if you remember, but we have pet hermit crabs! They are a surprisingly fun little pet. They are relatively easy to take care for and get along well with other crabs (for the most part).  Sometimes they will fight with each other over shells, but otherwise they get along together well!

This drawing was made with pen and ink, Prismacolor and Copic Markers, and chalk markers for the opaque white.

An Oldie But a Goodie

I’m not sure if you know, but I have a fondness for Waterbears. They are teeny-tiny critters that live in water and can thrive in extreme temperatures and can even survive outer-space!

This little illustration was made with pen and ink. It’s something I created a little while back, but I do still enjoy it.

Ground Control to Major Tom

“Can you hear me, Major Tom?” …Major Tom-Cat, that is.

I hope all is well. I’ve been a little spacey lately what with all the pain meds they had me on after my accident.  It’s been almost a week since I was doored in a cycling accident sending me to the hospital with a whole lot of injuries. I had to take a few days off work to let my body and mind reboot. I’m still in a lot of pain, but at least I’m alive, right? Nothing like a near-death experience to make you reflect on life and what you’re doing with it. With my few days off (I was in far too much pain to even think about going to work) I was able to relax a bit and take some time to meditate…and nap.

Honestly, sometimes I feel like I work all the time…between my two part-time jobs, managing the shop and the other at the studio, my freelance work, and my personal projects, I don’t really find myself having much (if any) free time. Granted, I do enjoy what I work on… but the hours I work can be a little rough. However as an artist, I get so pleased when I see a project that I like through to completion. That being said, I think I should be better at taking time to relax and enjoy myself. You only live once, and who knows what is going to happen next.

Although I most certainly wish it came in a different package, I think that I really needed a break for more than just a physical healing time, you know?

-P.